Iran, Russia and China to hold joint naval drill in northern Indian Ocean
Marine Security Belt 2024 to focus on protection of maritime economic activity; Oman, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and South Africa reportedly to participate as observers
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran will begin a joint naval drill with Russia and China in the northern part of the Indian Ocean, state media reported Tuesday.
Iran has stepped up its military cooperation with Beijing and Moscow in response to regional tensions with the United States, including by supplying military drones to Russia before the European nation invaded Ukraine in 2022. Visits to Iran by Russian and Chinese naval representatives have also increased in recent years.
A report by state TV quoted the drill’s spokesperson, Adm. Mostafa Tajaddini, as saying that “Marine Security Belt 2024” will begin Tuesday in 17,000 square kilometers (6,600 square miles) of the water. The drill, he said, is aimed at “fostering security and multilateral cooperation,” as well as showing the allies’ goodwill and naval capacities.
Tajaddini said that the three nations’ drill — their fourth since 2019 — was also meant to improve trade, confront “piracy and terrorism, support humanitarian activities, and exchange of information in the field of rescue,” among other goals.
The report said Oman, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and South Africa would be observers in the drill.
Russia’s defense ministry also announced the drills, saying they would be in the Gulf of Oman and that the exercise was to focus on the protection of maritime economic activity.
